Assistant Chief Engineer

Join CPKC, North America’s first transnational railroad connecting U.S. Canada and Mexico, where your career drives progress and safety is paramount. We connect communities, fuel economic growth, and provide meaningful work in a culture that values diversity, accountability, and pride. With opportunities for training, development, and advancement, you’re not just building a career—you’re part of something bigger. Together, we move goods, connect people, and create lasting change. Your future starts here.

 

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

Are you ready to take charge and inspire positive change? As the Assistant Chief Engineer and a key leader of CPKC's Engineering team, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the development and maintenance of safe, reliable infrastructure while delivering cost-effective engineering solutions for all track and structures assets within your assigned geographic territory. Your leadership will facilitate seamless and efficient train operations, reinforcing operational safety and reliability. Additionally, you will take ownership of providing comprehensive professional oversight, ensuring compliance with corporate policies, regulatory requirements, and engineering standards.

 

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Coordinate track maintenance, production, and structural tasks to maintain a safe and reliable infrastructure that meets operational needs
• Lead service emergency responses for safe and timely restoration while investigating and implementing corrective actions for safety and service failures
• Ensure adherence to regulatory maintenance and policy standards for track and structures
• Work closely with territory directors and senior engineers on project scope planning and assists in the development of documentation for capital projects and shape memory alloy initiatives
• Handle investigations, discipline, grievance management, and responses to time claims for the assigned territory in a 24/7 operation
• Manage the support of utility crews and oversees contract projects and territory work assignments
• Responsible for planning and preparation efforts related to winter, spring, and fire readiness to minimize risks
• Conduct inspections and corrective action oversight for track production work to ensure quality standards
• Deliver coaching and mentorship approaches to support development in leadership positions
• Guide to improve safety, service, productivity, personnel performance, and financial metrics across operational areas

 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and professional Engineer (P. Eng license) is an asset or equivalent work experience
• Minimum of 10 years' of railroad engineering experience and demonstrated success in the field will also be eligible for consideration
• Working knowledge and understanding of track maintenance, track renewal, structures maintenance and signals & communications maintenance
• Knowledge of accounting principles and financial statements
• Demonstrated capability to apply relevant knowledge and technical skills to monitor adherence to CPKC policies and standards as well regulatory requirements
• Capability to develop and manage a project plan/schedule
• Demonstrated experience leading a non-union and union workforce
• Ability to simultaneously manage priorities and ensure delivery of key performance metrics during emergency and non-emergency operations
• Skilled in inspiring and influencing peers, cross-functional collaborators, and the executive leadership team

 

WHAT CPKC HAS TO OFFER:

• Flexible and competitive benefits package
• Competitive company pension and/or retirement plans
• Employee share purchase plan
• Performance incentive plan
• Annual fitness subsidy
• Part-time studies program

 

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

 

Medical and Drug Testing

This is a safety sensitive position and a successful pre-employment medical assessment including physical, vision, hearing, and a negative company or regulated drug test is required. Post hire qualification drug testing may also be required.

 

Background Investigation

• Criminal history check
• Education verification
• Professional references
• Driver’s license verification and driving history
• Social Security Number verification

 

BECOMING A RAILROADER:

As an employee with a North American presence, the possibility does exist that the location of your position may be changed based on organizational requirements.

 

Management Conductor Program

Becoming a qualified conductor or locomotive engineer is the single best way for a management employee to learn the business at CPKC. You may be required to obtain a certification or to maintain your current certification/qualification as a conductor or locomotive engineer.

 

CULTURE OF INCLUSION:

For our U.S. applicants, CPKC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, inclusive of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For Canadian applicants CPKC is an employment equity employer committed to the principles of employment equity and inclusion. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply including: women, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), members of the LGBTQ+ community and people with disabilities. Accommodations for the job application process can be provided, as appropriate, upon request. All applicant information will be managed in accordance with the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

 

• Req ID: 105811
• Department: Engineering
• Job Type: Full-Time
• Position Type: Non-Union
• Location: Davenport, Iowa
• Country: United States
• % of Travel: 80-90%
• # of Positions: 1
• Job Grade: 2A
• Compensation Rate: $160,000 - $175,000
• Job Available to: Internal & External

 

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